Tina laced up her walking shoes and pushed open the screen door. She inhaled the sweet aroma of cherry blossoms and approached Brian. He was crouched over the lawnmower, fiddling with it again. It seemed every year it needed work before it was willing to start up again for the season. “I’m heading out for a walk with Gail.”

            Brian glanced up and blew her a kiss. “Have fun.”

            She strolled down the driveway and around the corner. Gail approached from the opposite direction. “Which way should we go today?”

            Tina paused for a moment. “Let’s start up the hill. We’ll be glad to go downhill at the end of the walk.”

            Gail nodded and fell into step next to Tina. She drew in a lungful of air. “I love this time of year. The trees are magnificent. Everything is blooming all over.”

            Tina frowned. “Yeah, even the dandelions.”

            Gail raised her eyebrows. “What? Don’t you like dandelions?”

           “Of course not. They’re weeds. They pop up all over the place and spread like crazy. Why would I like them?”

           “Because they’re wonderful reminders of what we should be like as Christians.”

           Tina nearly stopped in her tracks. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You think dandelions are good for me as a Christian?”

            A slow grin spread across Gail’s face as she puffed her way up the huge hill at the front of the neighborhood. “Dandelions can grow in the most difficult and unlikely places. Look.” Gail pointed to the end of the driveway they were passing. A lone dandelion sprouted in a thin crack in the asphalt.                 “They’re resilient.”

           “OK, so I should be resilient. Got it.”

            “That’s not all. They grow everywhere. In good soil, with lots of sun, in shade, in driveways. My point is, no matter where we find ourselves, we should strive to grow. But there’s more.”

            “Oh?”
            “Yeah. Dandelions change. They start out as seeds, grow leaves and a stem, and then develop a flower. They start out as a patch of leaves. When a flower emerges, it’s a bright sunny yellow. That flower spreads out in the sunshine and eventually gives off seeds of its own. We should change, too, when we ask the Lord to take over our lives. There will be some dramatic changes, like when the yellow flower turns to puffy white, but there are gradual changes as well. And just like dandelions exist in different stages,” Gail swept her arm out across the lawn in front of her, “so do we. Baby Christians walk alongside more mature Christians. We can all learn something from each another.”

             Tina studied Gail as they crested the hill. “You’re a pretty wise woman.”
            Gail chuckled. “But I haven’t even told you the most important part.”

            “Really? There’s more?”

            “Of course! We still have a lot of walking to do. I have to give you more of the story.”

            They rounded the corner and waved to a mother pushing her baby in a stroller. As they passed by, the baby dropped his toy. Gail chased after it, giving Tina a chance to consider Gail’s words. Was she like a dandelion, changing and growing? And what more could Gail have to say? She stood, waiting for Gail to return.

             “He’s such a cutie.”
            Tina glanced at the baby and nodded, anxious for the rest of the story. “So, what else can I learn from dandelions?”

            “The best part. Dandelions spread seeds. Those seeds catch the wind    and spread as far as 60 miles away.”
            “Tina stopped. “Seriously?”

            Gail nodded. “I read that once. The point is, it’s our job to spread God’s word to others. Just like the seeds.”

            Tina continued down the street. “I never thought about it that way. You’re giving me a lot to consider. Now every time I see a dandelion, I’m going to remember what you said.”

            Gail grinned. “Perfect.”

           They made their way back around the corner and Tina waved goodbye to Gail as she strolled back up the driveway where Brian was pushing the mower back into the garage. “The yard looks great.”

           Brian wiped his brow. “Yeah, I got rid of all those ugly dandelions. I know you don’t like them.”

           Tina smiled. “I think I may have changed my mind.”

2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

God, please help us grow, not only in faith, but in love and in wisdom. Help us seek out ways to know You more and to be more like You. Thank You for the everyday things you place in our lives that can serve as reminder of Your love for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.